Improvement in submarine torpedoes



W. GIESB. Submarine-Torpedo.

Patented Sept. I6, 1879.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- `WILLIAM GIESE, or BORDEAUX, FRANCE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SUBMAvRlN-E TORPEDOES.

Specification formingpart of Letters Patent No. 219,7 l l, dated September 16, 1879; application iiled Julie 20, 1879.

To all whom 'it may concern;

Be it :known that I,W1LL1AMGLESE, of the city of Bordeaux, in the Department of the Gironde and Republic of France, have invented new and useful Improvements in Submarine Self-Propelling Torpedoes, of which vthe following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to simplify vthe construction and costof self-propelling submarine torpedoes', by doing away with all the complicated mechanism heretofore employed in the propulsion of such, and in arming the torpedo with. a spear-head having two or more sharpened blades.

In the accompany in g drawings representing the torpedo, Figure l" isa vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 a plan view.

A is the bodyof the torpedo, of a shape like a iish, with a tapering or pointed nose, ai. Its

sides are lattened, as shown fin Fig. 2, and it is provided with a foi-wai d air-tight compartment., B, adapted to maintain the torpedo in 'proper position when propelled through the water and com-pensate in displacement the weight of the torpedo and il s propelling` charge or rocket C.

This rocket C is charged with the usual materials for such, and its forward end is yattached to the partition a' of the air-tight compartment B, and its rear end is provided with a iange or rim, c, fitting snugly upon the face ofthe truncated rear end of the torpedo, to prevent the ingress of water. It may be set in motion either direct from the lower deck of a vessel, or from an inclined plane or ways arranged for the purpose, or from another boat,

. and it will be evident that when the fuse with ,which the rocket is provided is lighted, the

'composition thereofignited, and the torpedo launched, the resistance of the water will cause its propulsion.

I have found by experience that great velocity may be obtained by this means, much greater than by means of the ordinary mech--- cutting-spear, D, composed of a series of blades, d, having their edges sharpened, and

is attached to the torpedo by screwing it into its nose, as shown, or by any other convenient scribed and shown may be given to the tori ped; but I prefer the ish shape with ilatteued sides.

The rocket is so arranged wi thin the torpedo as to form an axis, so to say. The propelling power being thus evenly distributed over the whole length, and on a line central through the body, willkeep it in the direction given it when launched, and, owing to its peculiar shape, the-.torpedo will go through the water with great rapidity.

On arriving in proximity to the vessel intended for destruction the spear-head will not only cut its way through the usual protecting netting employed, but will, on striking the ,hull of such vessel, Yembed itself therein and insure its destruction.

If desired, the spear-head may be made the means of ignitiug the explosive charge by so arranging it in a socket in the nose of the torpedo as to perform the function of a hammer upon the usual fulminate, which may be inclosed in a tube communicating with the charge-chamber or body of the torpedo, as will be readily understood. e 1

` The dimensions for the torpedo which I have found to be most advantageous are as follows:

length, six meters; height, one meter, and

breadth, iifty centimeters, though I do not desire to limit myself to these exact dimensions, which may'under certain circumstances vary.,

Having now described my invention, what I claim is A rocket-torpedo of a shape substantially as described, and provided with a forward air-tight compartment, in combination with a spear-head having a series of sharpened orl cutting blades and a piercing-point, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of November, 1878.

WILLIAM GIESE.

Witnesses: I

Roma M. HooPER, Y M. SERAUL. 

